Terracotta fragments of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

These terracotta fragments of a kylix, a drinking cup, were crafted by Nicosthenes, a potter active in Athens during the 6th century BC. Nicosthenes, as an entrepreneur, recognized and exploited the commercial opportunities of the Athenian marketplace. This fragment is black-figure pottery, which involves painting figures in black silhouette, then incising details. The shapes and imagery of Nicosthenes' pottery reflected a conscious understanding of consumer preferences. His workshop produced pottery for both local Athenian markets and export to Etruria. Athenian pottery like this was not just functional. It was a key medium through which cultural values, myths, and social ideologies were circulated and consumed. To fully understand the significance of these fragments, we need to consider the social context of their creation. Archaeological reports, trade records, and studies of iconography can all help us to understand more about this world.